The difference between the two parties on fundamentals like the EU, immigration, Trident and early spending cuts are large, probably too large. [...] The chances of any deal now with the Tories that passes this very high democratic bar must be exceedingly small.

In hindsight, such a prediction must be rather embarrassing even for the doyen of doolally himself.

Which could explain Sunday's bitter grizzling at those who are in the jobs which Labour MPs so jealously covet.

The grand talk of a reformist coalition is already looking bare even before it’s started. With the neocon Trident-hardliner Liam Fox as Defence Minister, the anti-EU fanatical and Ashcroft-corrupted William Hague as Foreign Secretary, the inexperienced weakest link George Osborne as Chancellor, the anti-State ultra-marketeer Michael Gove as Education Secretary, and the anti-abortion and anti-gay rights Teresa May as Equalities Minister, it’s a throwback to the Thatcher era, in reactionary instincts if not in the same form.

Meacher , one gilded blowfly not worthy of a cheap fly spray.One of his local bottom sniffingcental commitee,the Fuhrer of Oldham Council is all of a sudden concerned about pub closuresdestroying working class communities

Quote :And Oldham Council’s Labour leader Jim McMahon is so concerned he has asked for an overview and scrutiny review of the impact of pub closures.

Councillor McMahon, who represents Failsworth East, says he only has to look around his own area to see the impact of pub closures: “Over the past five years we have seen the closure of Star Inn, Streetbridge Inn, Bridge Inn, Brown Cow, Black Horse, Brookdale Inn, Foresters Arms, Cloggers Arms, Halfway House, Guido Inn and others which have been and gone.

“In addition there are currently seven on the market for sale or tenancy, some of which have little chance of being reopened.

“The impact of the closures are threefold — derelict buildings attract vandalism and other anti-social behaviour; the loss of a community hub; and the loss of some buildings which are important historically or architecturally.” End of quote:

Cant remember a 1 decibel squeekout of this red rodent before theelection

Meacher ? Dont forget his constituents have the second lowest IQin the UK, after(any suggestions)?